View source for Spindle Boxes

{{Infobox Lesson
| Name          = Spindle Boxes
| Topic         = Math
| Subtopic      = Numbers 0-10
| image         = [[Image: Spindle Boxes 7.JPG|320px]]
| Level         = [[Primary]]
| Age           = 3.5 - 4
| Preqs         = [[Number Rods]] <br> [[Sandpaper Numerals]] <br> [[Number Rods With Numerals]]
| Materials     = spindle boxes <br> 45 identical spindles <br> container for spindles
}}
This activity lets the child practice associating the numerals and quantities 0-9.
== Presentation ==
# Carry the material to a mat or large table.
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 1.jpg|300 px]]
# Point to the zero. "Zero means nothing.  We don't put anything in here."
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 2.JPG|300 px]]
# Point to the 1.  "How many does it say to put in here?"
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 3.JPG|300 px]]
# Put one spindle in the space.
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 4.JPG|300 px]]
# Point to the 2.  "How many does it say to put in here?"
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 5.JPG|300 px]]
# Put two spindles in the space.
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 6.JPG|300 px]]
# Continue like this until all of the spaces have the appropriate number of spindles.
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 7.JPG|300 px]]
# "Let's see how many are left in the box...Zero!"
#: [[Image: Spindle Boxes 8.JPG|300 px]]

== Points of Interest ==
# The concept of the number zero representing none.
== Control of Error ==
*There are exactly enough spindles to complete the work. If at the end there are not enough, or if there are extra left over the child will know that there is a mistake.

== Variations and Extensions ==
Variation 1:
Count each spindle as they are replaced in the box and point out the numeral again.

Variation 2:
Ask the students to count the total quantity of spindles as they are replaced in the box (45).

==Aims==
Direct Aim:
# To show the collection of quatities into the single set.
# To show the sequence of nine
# To show zero as an empty set
# To show nine as the first group in our decimal system, not ten.<br>

Indirect Aim:
# Use of nines
# Ten is a new level
== Material ==
The material consists of two wooden boxes with five long compartments in each. The back of each compartment has a numeral printed on it. Zero to four are in the first box and five to nine are in the second box. The container has forty-five wooden spindles total.

===Make Your Own===
[[Category:Make_your_own]]
*[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2822830 Free laser-cutting pattern for a Spindle Box on Thingverse]

*This version was made by gluing segments of cardboard tube onto two narrow boards.  The numerals were written on cards with a marker and glued to the front.  The spindles were made from sticks cut to the same length.<br>
*:[[Image:SB homemade 2.jpg|252 px]] [[Image:SB homemade 1.JPG|250 px]]
*:Source:[http://montessorionabudget.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html Montessori on a Budget]
*This version was made from two cardboard boxes with balsa wood dividers hot-glued in place.  The spindles are popsicle sticks.<br>
*:[[Image:SB DIY.jpg|280 px]]
*:Source:[http://whatdidwedoallday.blogspot.com/2010/04/diy-spindle-box.html What DID We Do All Day?]
*This was made from a wooden tray with balsa-wood slats glued in as dividers.
*: [[File:Maybe Mntsr spindlebox.jpg|280px]]
*: (For a more detailed description of how this was done, see [http://maybemontessori.blogspot.com/2010/06/diy-spindle-box.html Maybe Montessori].)
*This one was made out of cloth and can be rolled up for storage or travel.
*:[[File:54mama spindle box 1.jpg|290 px]] [[File:54mama spindle box 2.jpg||290 px]]
*:Source: [http://www.54stitches.com/fabric-montessori-spindle-box.html 54 Stitches]

===Where to Buy===
<div style="float: left; width: 49%">
'''Boxes with Spindles'''<br>
[http://www.etsy.com/shop/ATXinventor 1montessori (ATXinventor @Etsy)] $14.50 (pre-cut parts to assemble)<br>
[http://www.absorbentmontessorimaterial.com/product_p/m06.htm Absorbent Montessori] $40.99<br>
[http://adenamontessori.us/details.php?did=38 Adena] $22.15<br>
[http://adenamontessori.us/details.php?did=1389 Adena] $23.32<br>
[http://www.affordmontessori.com/product_details.asp?productcode=%27MA05%27 Affordable Montessori] $45.00<br>
[http://www.affordmontessori.com/product_details.asp?productcode=%27MA05T%27 Affordable Montessori] $59.00<br>
[http://www.montessoriresources.com/Spindle-Boxes-0-4-and-5-to-9-without-Spindles-P477C7.aspx Albanesi] $49.00 (spindles not included)<br>
[http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Spindle_Box_with_45_Spindles_p/m04.htm Alison's] $36.00<br>
[http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Spindle_Boxes_with_45_Spindles_Premium_Quality_p/pm09.htm Alison's] $75.00<br>
[http://www.bruinsmontessori.com/itemdetails.php?item_id=49 Bruin's] $95.00<br>
[http://www.cabdevmontessori.com/product.php?productid=16750&cat=253&page=2 Cabdev] $61.00<br>
[http://www.calibermontessori.com/catalog/item/3528880/3225833.htm Caliber] $24.99<br>
[http://www.montessorimaterials.com/content/spindle-boxes-whole-set E & O] $98.00<br>
[http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com/math/spindle_boxes.html Early School] $95.00<br>
[http://www.etcmontessorionline.com/classic-montessori/hardwood-mathematics/spindle-boxes ETC Montessori] $95.00<br>
[http://www.grandpas.ca/product_info.php/cPath/5/products_id/158?osCsid=da3755c849ab9d46188298df79a2e1cb Grandpas] $35.00<br>
[http://shop.hellowood.com/Spindle-box-M12.htm Hello Wood] $109.00<br>
[http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Numbered-Spindle-Box-with-45-Spindles-p/m.107.1.htm IFIT] $27.00<br>
[http://www.montessoriequipment.com/Mini-Spindle-Boxes-with-45-Spindles-p/m.107.3.htm IFIT] $11.00 (small)<br>
[http://www.julianagroup.com/index.lasso?page=detail&Category=&SubCategory=Mathematics&NewItem=&Overstock=&Description=&skip=3 Juliana] $53.20 (spindles not included?)<br>
[http://www.jmplearning.com/MP_3014_Spindles_Boxes_in_Print_Font_p/mp-3014.htm Jump Start] $30.95<br>
[http://www.kidadvance.com/Store/ProductDetails.asp?pid=88&catid=4 Kid Advance] $26.99<br>
[http://www.thematerialscompany.com/collections/mathematics/products/spindle-boxes-with-45-spindles Materials Company of Boston] $90.00<br>
[http://www.montessoribuy.com/cartdetails.asp?id=HTM0127-1 Montessori Buy] $26.75(spindles not included)<br>
[http://www.montessoribuy.com/cartdetails.asp?id=HTM0127 Montessori Buy] $28.84<br>
[http://www.montessoriconcepts.com/products.php?cat=Math&num=7 Montessori Concepts] $25.00<br>
[http://www.montessoriland.com/site/1270021/product/ID_%202012 Montessori Land] $40.00<br>
[http://montessori-n-such.com/detail.aspx?ID=510 Montessori N' Such] $65.00<br>
[http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/item/510500061/5105/Montessori-Outlet-Spindle-Box-With-45-Spindles-%28USA-Print%29 Montessori Outlet] $32.95 (print)<br>
[http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/item/510500062/5105/Montessori-Outlet-Spindle-Box-With-45-Spindles-%28Cursive%29 Montessori Outlet] $32.95 (cursive)<br>
[http://www.montessoristores.com/html/new_product_view.asp?type=products&cat_id=3&id=44 Montessori Stores] $75.00<br>
[http://www.nienhuis.com/spindle-box-usa-style-print.html Nienhuis] $115.00 (USA print)<br>
[http://www.nienhuis.com/spindle-box-print.html Nienhuis] $115.00 (print)<br>
[http://www.nienhuis.com/spindle-box-cursive.html Nienhuis] $115.00 (cursive)<br>
[https://www.thinkamajigs.com/spindle-box-spindles/ Thinkamajigs] $43.95

</div><div style="float: left; width: 49%">
'''Box of 45 Spindles'''<br>
[http://adenamontessori.us/details.php?did=946 Adena] $14.58<br>
[http://www.montessoriresources.com/Spindles45-with-Box-P478C7.aspx Albanesi] $65.00<br>
[http://www.bruinsmontessori.com/itemdetails.php?item_id=50 Bruin's] $8.00<br>
[http://www.calibermontessori.com/catalog/item/3528880/3225832.htm Caliber] $12.99<br>
[http://www.montessoriequipment.com/45-Wooden-Spindles-with-Box-p/m.106.1.htm IFIT] $16.00<br>
[http://www.julianagroup.com/index.lasso?page=detail&Category=&SubCategory=Mathematics&NewItem=&Overstock=&Description=&skip=4 Juliana] $53.20<br>
[http://www.montessoribuy.com/cartdetails.asp?id=HTM0126 Montessori Buy] $19.21<br>
[https://www.thinkamajigs.com/45-spindles/ Thinkamajigs] $26.95

'''10 Replacement Spindles'''<br>
[http://www.affordmontessori.com/product_details.asp?productcode=%27MA06A%27 Affordable Montessori] $5.00<br>
[http://www.cabdevmontessori.com/product.php?productid=16980&cat=253&page=2 Cabdev] $6.00<br>
[http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com/math/spindle_boxes.html Early School] $3.50<br>
[http://www.grandpas.ca/product_info.php/cPath/5/products_id/298?osCsid=da3755c849ab9d46188298df79a2e1cb Grandpas] $6.00<br>
[http://www.jmplearning.com/MP_3015_Spindles_Set_of_10_p/mp-3015.htm Jump Start] $4.95<br>
[http://www.kidadvance.com/Store/ProductDetails.asp?pid=211&catid=4 Kid Advance] $3.99<br>
[http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/item/510500070/5105/Montessori-Outlet-Individual-Spindles-%28Set-of-10%29 Montessori Outlet] $3.95<br>
[http://www.nienhuis.com/spindles-set-of-10-1-2.html Nienhuis] $15.00<br>

'''5 Replacement Spindles'''<br>
[http://www.julianagroup.com/index.lasso?page=detail&Category=&SubCategory=Mathematics&NewItem=&Overstock=&Description=&skip=5 Juliana] $5.60<br>

'''Individual Spindle'''<br>
[http://adenamontessori.us/details.php?did=1000 Adena] $0.47<br>
[http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/Individual_Spindles_p/pm09.a.htm Alison's] $1.50<br>
[http://www.bruinsmontessori.com/itemdetails.php?item_id=51 Bruin's] $1.00<br>
[http://www.etcmontessorionline.com/classic-montessori/hardwood-mathematics/individual-spindles ETC Montessori] $1.00<br>
[http://www.grandpas.ca/product_info.php/cPath/5/products_id/157?osCsid=da3755c849ab9d46188298df79a2e1cb Grandpas] $1.00<br>
[http://shop.hellowood.com/Extra-Spindles-for-Spindle-Box-M13.htm Hello Wood] $0.50<br>
[http://www.thematerialscompany.com/collections/mathematics/products/individual-spindles Materials Company of Boston] $0.70<br>
[http://www.montessoribuy.com/cartdetails.asp?id=HTM0126-1 Montessori Buy] $1.07<br>
[http://www.montessoriconcepts.com/products.php?cat=Math&num=8 Montessori Concepts] $0.50<br>
[http://www.montessoriland.com/site/1270021/product/ID_%202013 Montessori Land] $1.50<br>
[https://www.thinkamajigs.com/wooden-spindles/ Thinkamajigs] $0.40

'''Box for Spindles'''<br>
[http://www.affordmontessori.com/product_details.asp?productcode=%27MA06%27 Affordable Montessori] $10.00<br>
[http://www.cabdevmontessori.com/product.php?productid=16761&cat=253&page=2 Cabdev] $12.00<br>
[http://www.etcmontessorionline.com/classic-montessori/hardwood-mathematics/box-for-individual-spindles ETC Montessori] $8.00<br>
[http://www.jmplearning.com/MP_3014_5_Box_for_Loose_Spindles_p/mp-3014-5.htm Jump Start] $5.95<br>
[http://www.kidadvance.com/Store/ProductDetails.asp?pid=1205&catid=4 Kid Advance] $7.99<br>
[http://www.thematerialscompany.com/collections/mathematics/products/box-for-loose-spindles Materials Company of Boston] $13.00<br>
[http://www.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/item/510500080/5105/Montessori-Outlet-Loose-Spindles-Box Montessori Outlet] $8.95<br>
[http://www.nienhuis.com/loose-spindles-box-1-2.html Nienhuis] $18.90<br>
[https://www.thinkamajigs.com/numbered-spindle-box/ Thinkamajigs] $17.95
</div>
<div style="clear:both"></div>

*[http://www.etsy.com/listing/174526964/make-your-montessori-spindle-box-build?ref=shop_home_active_3 1montessori, ATXinventor @ Etsy] (sold as parts or assembled) $14.50-$31.00
*:This was made from laser cut Baltic birch plywood.  The parts fit within the trays and those snap together for easy storage.
*: [[Image:1montessorispindlebox01.jpg|280px]] [[Image:1montessorispindlebox02.jpg|280px]] [[Image:1montessorispindlebox03.jpg|280px]]

== Further Reading ==
*[[Teaching Montessori in the Home: The Pre-School Years]] by Elizabeth G. Hainstock, page 81
*[[Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives]] by David Gettman, pages 166-167